Subaida had disposed of the acid container into a pond in front of a hospital in Malappuram while Basheer was being admitted. This was recovered by the cops during evidence collection. Malappuram: Identifying the culprit in the April 23 acid attack case was a real daunting task for the Kerala police. Basheer, 48, of Malappuram, in his dying declaration, had stated that an 'unidentified' person had thrown acid on him while he was in bed.
In a week, the police had to face several challenges - ranging from severe pressure to arrest the accused to conflicting statements, to a long list of probable culprits.
Seven days after the attack, the Malappuram police arrested his wife, Subaida after gathering the most pieces of evidence they could lay hands on. After the Nirbhaya case in Delhi, this is the first case in the district where charges under the amended 326 Section (A) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid) of IPC were filed.
This is the first case in the district where charges under the amended IPC Section 326 A (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid) of IPC were filed. Ironically, this new section, which was added considering the rising number of acid attacks on women in north India, had to be first enforced against a woman.
Apart from Section 326-A, the accused was charged with murder attempt. Once she admitted to the crime, IPC 302 (murder) was also added.
Deputy superintendent of police Jaleel Thottathil tells Onmanorama how cops cracked the case.
Several names
Subaida gave different names during each stage of questioning on who threw acid on Basheer. Her statements put three people from Thamarassery and a fruit trader from Malappuram under the scrutiny of the police. When they were brought to face Subaida, her allegations fell flat.
Every day, the 'story' took a different turn. The investigation team patiently pursued all the leads provided by her. Cops were on the trail of the accused 24x7. However, prolonged questioning ensured that she won't be able to get away, and she spilled the beans. Though Subaida had tried to solve the differences with Basheer, they never bore fruit.
Delay in hospitalisation
Subaida herself bought acid from a shop in Majeri on the eve of the attack. She also kept a vessel that could be used to pour acid on the face and the front part of the body ready. At 11 pm, she carried out the attack. The enquiry entered the next stage when she gave conflicting statements on why Basheer was taken to hospital only at 2 am. The cops also discovered her attempts to destroy evidence.
CCTV camera saw it
Subaida had disposed of the acid container into a pond in front of a hospital in Malappuram while Basheer was being admitted. This was recovered by the cops during evidence collection. Besides, the visuals of Subaida throwing the container was also captured by CCTV camera. The shopkeeper in Manjeri identified the person who bought acid. The phone calls between Basheer and Subaida and their relatives and friends were also analysed.
Being the owner of ‘Malabar Light and Sounds’ business, Basheer had close links with politicians. They all put pressure on the police to arrest the accused. But the police stuck to their stand that arrest will be carried out only after maximum evidence was collected. Considering her safety, Subaida was shifted to a shelter home.
